Overview & Reviews

Lincoln is an automaker with a long history of building upscale vehicles for the American market. A division of Ford, Lincoln differentiates its vehicles through additional luxury features, more powerful engines and unique styling. The automaker's lineup includes cars, pickups and SUVs.

The company was established in 1917 by Henry Leland, an automotive parts manufacturer who had previously founded the Cadillac brand. He named the company after his boyhood hero: the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. Early Lincoln models include the L Series and the K Series. The company quickly hit dire straits, however, and was bought by Ford Motor Company in 1922.

Lincoln had found its niche in the luxury-car segment by the 1930s, riding high with the likes of Cadillac as a purveyor of premium status-mobiles. The 1936 model year saw Lincoln's launch of the popular Zephyr. The car's name and styling were inspired by the sleek lines of the Burlington Zephyr, a diesel-powered express train that boasted record-setting speed. The car was a big hit for Lincoln; at one point, nearly 80 percent of all Lincolns sold were Zephyrs.

The '40s also saw the rise of the glamorous Continental. The vehicle's development was shepherded by Edsel Ford, son of Ford's founder Henry Ford. After World War II, Lincoln maintained its premium status with vehicles like the Mark II and the '60s-era Continentals, which gained fame through their "suicide-style" rear doors and use as U.S. presidential limousines. The Continental Mark III luxury coupe rolled out in 1968 and by the late '60s, more than 1 million Continentals had been built.

The 1970s saw the launch of the Mark IV as well as a new Lincoln, the Versailles. The Versailles was the first midsize sedan from the marque, and right from the start, it missed the mark with the public. The Versailles was based on the Ford Granada platform, and many blamed its failure on its obvious similarity to its less exclusive -- and less expensive -- twin.

In 1981, Lincoln released its now iconic Town Car, the full-size luxury sedan that has since served as the marque's flagship. Though its moniker had been used to designate trim levels in previous years, 1981 was the year in which the Town Car came into existence as an individual model. Lincoln also distinguished itself during these years as the first American car line to offer antilock braking. The Mark series continued to evolve, and shrunk down considerably with the debut of the Mark VI. That velvet-lined cruiser was followed mid-decade by the Mark VII, which was more European in nature and could even be powered by a BMW turbodiesel engine.

The '90s saw the debut of the Mark VIII, which featured a four-cam V8 and air suspension. By this time, sport-utility vehicles had emerged as a segment to be reckoned with, and Lincoln made the most of this trend by launching its very first SUV, the Ford Expedition-based Navigator, for 1998. Bedecked in chrome and fitted with plush leather and luxury features galore, the massive truck was a breakout hit.

The new millennium marked the debut of the Euro-flavored, midsize LS sedan that shared much of its platform with Jaguar's S-Type sedan. More recently, Lincoln has dropped the long-lived Town Car and updated its lineup with the MKS and MKZ sedans as well as the MKX crossover SUV in hopes of attracting a new generation of consumers. Some of its offerings fall short of the competition in areas such as performance and refinement. Still, the marque is a favorite of car buyers seeking a generous dose of all-American luxury.

User Reviews:

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  Lincoln MKS - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Linda McLellan - October 30 - 7:53 am

  I have been extremely impressed with Lincoln MKS. It has excellant styling, comfort and performance. The technology that is available is awesome. I could not be happier with this selection after looking at the Lexus ES and the Infiniti M35, I am convinced that I made a wise choice.

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  My Lincoln The Lemon - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Craig2o - October 30 - 2:00 am

  Please be careful buying this car, there are several Electrical Problems and Ford does not care. REPEATED PROBLEMS: Car does not start sometimes, locks fail and work off and on, windows stop working, headlights fill with water, interior lights stop working.

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  Luxury Ride - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Tom Smith - October 28 - 10:53 am

  I bought this vehicle with 55K and have experience only a few minor problems. Air suspension motor went out and lower A Frame had to be replaced. This has been a very dependable and reliable vehicle plus the ride is exceptional. Would definitely own another one.

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  Nice - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By clearview - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Love it

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  Great Real Family Sedan - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By JB Ben - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle. I like the real seats(heated also) very comfortable. No console to collect dirt and just gets in the way. This is my wifes vehicle but I really like the auto set seats, mirrors, etc. I dont get in trouble for moving the seat because her key gives her back her settings. LS was too small, and we are not big people, 175 lbs, 5 9". We also like the handling. Hate floor consoles. Cant by an LS w/o one. Plenty of power to pass.

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  Not like just another truck. If you want to turn heads this is for you. - 2007 Lincoln Mark LT
  By swanana - October 22 - 7:20 pm

  Yes, all and all its a glorified F-150, but the menacing grill cant be stopped. Strangers are always giving me compliments on this truck. It is has it all function, luxury, and a touch of American gaudiness depending on how much chrome you add.

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  What a SUV, What a SUV - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By lincoln lover - October 16 - 2:10 am

  This is an awesome suv... think only thing i didnt like was the interior color! It rides smooth, fast and Fuel efficent i love the Lincoln!

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  Luxury Truck Fighter - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Billy Vung - October 14 - 12:33 pm

  This is my first Truck. I have tried others truck: GMC Sierra Denali, Tundra Limited, Titan LE, Dodge RAM Hemi, Chevy Silverado LT, Nothing come near my need (very smooth drive, very quite interior). This is the truck that is as beautiful as my wife. I spent most of my time riding this truck more than I spend with my wife. If youre looking a lexus from Ford, this is the one truck that you should not miss. Anyone who buy this truck should not care about towing or real off road vehicle. If you need real truck, buy Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, and Nissan. Anyone hate this truck and write bad review for this truck, he is on the wrong truck. This is the perfect truck for a business person.

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  Unreliable Product - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Peter - October 11 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Lincoln LS V8 Sport is a very unreliable vehicle. A few days after I took the car home from the dealer 11/2009, all coils had to be replaced. Obviously free of charge since the car was covered under the NY Lemon law. I drove it for almost a year up 10/2010 when the coils appear to have failed again: the car is at a garage right now. I did manage to get 26,000 miles out of the last replacement. Otherwise I have the following issues with this car: A) it was built for people approximately 5" tall: I get leg cramps driving long distance every day (I am 6" tall) and B) its road handling is really all over the place and dangerous in adverse weather (rain, snow).

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  Excellent car for anyone - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By sheri - October 11 - 6:00 am

  I bought this car new and have no problems whatsoever. It handles nice, very comfortable on long trips and even my 30 yr old daughter loves driving it. very nice interior, roomy trunk, and it has enough power for all driving speeds. It is even good on fuel economy. Stereo speakers very good quality. I have driven this car back and forth from California to Texas and back on a few occassions and the car has given me a most pleasurable trips. It handles very well for a midsize car. I feel that anyone who drives this car will enjoy the experience, the ride, comfort and all the little extras, I have. I have had nothing but compliments on my car.